Systems Engineer

Sr. Controls/Automation Engineer | 5-days onsite in Alexandria, VA | Pay: 125k - 183k/yr | Permanent Position

Job Description

The Systems Engineer designs, programs, and supports industrial control and monitoring systems for natural gas gate stations and plant operations. This role focuses on PLC and HMI development, SCADA infrastructure, and communications systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of natural gas. The Systems Engineer collaborates with cross-functional teams to define system requirements, implement solutions, and maintain high standards of performance, compliance, and operational integrity.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal organizations to gather and define system requirements using knowledge of process control systems, communication infrastructure, and information systems.
• Design, develop, and test PLC code using vendor-specific industrial programming languages to automate gate station control and monitoring of flow, pressure, temperature, and odorization of natural gas.
• Develop PLC control and monitoring logic for plant equipment including compressors, boilers, pumps, and valves to support peak shaving operations.
• Implement and maintain diverse communication infrastructure to enable remote control and monitoring of gate station and plant systems across multiple media, including cellular, radio, and other communication channels.
• Configure and support communication protocols such as UDP, TCP/IP, Modbus, and BSAP to ensure reliable data transfer and system interoperability.
• Interface with communication vendors to troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve communication and protocol-related issues.
• Develop HMI code using vendor-specific programming languages to provide intuitive graphical interfaces for the gas delivery and plant control systems.
• Administer and develop code for MS SQL/ANSI SQL databases and vendor-specific data archiving applications to support reporting, analysis, historical reference, and regulatory compliance.
• Perform system start-up operations to verify that requirements are met and to ensure all equipment operates within design parameters.
• Collaborate closely with IT, Gas Control, and other departments to maintain system integrity, reliability, and security.
• With guidance from more staff, perform project management functions, including coordinating resources from different departments to meet project timelines and objectives.
• Develop detailed operation and maintenance procedures, programs, and standards, including wiring schematics and documentation for control and communication systems.
• Research new products and technologies, conduct product evaluations and testing, and make recommendations to refine and improve process control and communication solutions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system performance, operational efficiency, and safety within the energy infrastructure.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience with SCADA systems, including designing, integrating, and managing PLC-based SCADA infrastructure.
• Proficiency in PLC programming using vendor-specific industrial programming languages.
• Strong understanding of process control systems and industrial automation for gate stations and plant operations.
• Experience implementing and supporting communication infrastructure across cellular, radio, and other media.
• Working knowledge of communication protocols such as UDP, TCP/IP, Modbus, and BSAP.
• Ability to develop and maintain HMI applications using vendor-specific programming tools.
• Experience with MS SQL and ANSI SQL for database administration, data archiving, and reporting.
• Experience in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Systems, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex control, communication, and data issues in an industrial environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to process control and automation challenges.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with C++ or similar programming languages for automation-related development.
• Familiarity with natural gas distribution, storage, or energy infrastructure operations.
• Experience developing operation and maintenance procedures and technical documentation, including wiring schematics.
• Exposure to cross-functional project work and coordination with IT, operations, and engineering teams.
• Ability to evaluate new products and technologies and provide recommendations based on testing and analysis.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Interest in working within an organization focused on delivering clean, affordable natural gas and innovative energy solutions.

Work Environment

This is a hybrid-flexible position that involves regular travel to field locations, gate stations, and plant sites as needed, with an approximate 50/50 split between office and field work. Mileage reimbursement is provided for required travel. The work environment includes industrial settings with compressors, boilers, pumps, valves, and control equipment, as well as control rooms and office spaces where SCADA, PLC, HMI, and database systems are monitored and maintained. The culture emphasizes safety, reliability, and collaboration, supporting a large energy infrastructure that delivers clean, affordable natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across multiple jurisdictions.

This is a Permanent position based out of Springfield, VA.

The pay range for this position is $114000.00 - $183000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

PTO, Holiday, & Bonuses, Company has been in business 174 years.

This is a fully onsite position in Springfield,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.